Cal glowered. "No. I'm fine. Who deals?"
Dalton stood up from the table, his lips twitching with the need to grin. "Gonna take a break and get a drink. This is getting way too intense for me."
Tristan scooped up the cards and began to shuffle. "Beginner's luck or something. You're doing real good, Morgan," he said, with obvious patronization. "Raven taught you well. You too, Syd."
Sydney looked at her towering chips and shared a meaningful glance with Morgan. "Those lady poker nights must've paid off," she chirped. She took another sip of her Sweet Hot Chris. "There's now a waiting list for the mixed group. Seems everyone wants to try to play us."
"Because you two seem to beat everyone at the table," Raven spoke up.
Tristan gave a snort. Cal forced a smile.
"Be right back." Raven headed to the bar for refills. A hard arm circled around her hips and pulled her in tight. She was barely able to breathe as Dalton kissed her with sheer possessiveness, forcing her lips open to take his tongue, thrusting his hips against her with demand. Arousal curled her toes and heated her blood. When he finally broke the kiss, she was practically panting and thinking about a quickie in the kitchen.
"What was that for?" she asked raggedly.
He pressed a thumb against her swollen lips. "You are the sexiest goddess to walk the earth. You taught them to count cards, didn't you?"
Raven blinked. "Of course not. I don't know how to count cards."
"Liar." He nipped at her jaw, then soothed with his tongue. "I know a con when I see one."
"Sorry, Slick. The only con going on right now is the one you're playing on me. Getting me all hot and bothered and doing nothing about it."
"Wait till your punishment tonight." Her tummy dipped in thrilling anticipation. His hot breath blew in her ear. "If you're lying to me, I'll be the one doing the counting. I'll demand a minimum of three orgasms before I even get inside you. Sound fun?"
Oh, it did. Bastard. Now she'd be thinking about her punishment for the rest of the night. "You'll have to prove I taught them to count cards."
"I will. Sydney's gonna show up with a flush next. Watch."
He forced her to watch the game unfold while his fingers stroked all the hidden parts of her, safely concealed behind the bar. By the time Sydney showed her flush, Raven was about to explode with sexual tension. Arousal pounded between her thighs and tightened her nipples. The slightest touch elicited goose bumps and shivers over her skin.
"You've been a bad girl, Raven."
"Are you going to tell your brothers?" she asked breathlessly, rocking her hips back against his erection.
"Hell no. They deserve a good trouncing. Oh, and make that four."
"Four what?"
He winked and flashed his dimples. "Four orgasms before we even start." Then he walked away and sat back at the table, congratulating Sydney on her epic win. Raven grabbed a bottle of water and her gaze settled on the prestigious framed article from Good Food & Fine Spirits. The write-up with a full center spread of photos had made a huge splash in Harrington, and now most weekends were standing room only. Al had belted out a laugh when she told him they might need to start taking reservations. Cocktail night had exploded, and Dalton had been known to jump behind the bar to handle the overload.
God, she loved him.
Raven watched the crew ribbing one another with good-natured teasing and affection. Over the few weeks since she'd shown up at Dalton's door, they'd only grown closer, until Raven felt as if she had stepped into her own circle of adopted family. The nightmares had completely stopped, and a peace had settled over her.
For the first time, she felt completely whole.
It was odd how the crazy twists and turns of life could lead one to love.
Dalton crooked his finger, motioning for her to come over. She loved the path she'd chosen, and sometimes felt the soothing presence of her father stirring the air, as if he was happy, too.
Raven slid into the arms of the man who'd always been meant for her.